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Unit of study_

PHAR5920: Dispensing 2

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit will consolidate and bring together the skills and knowledge that students have developed in previous units from year one of the curriculum. The emphasis is on clinical practice and develops the theme that providing medicines is not a single event but a process. Students will dispense or prescribe medicines (including prescription, non‐prescription medicines), in collaboration with others.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PHAR5920
Academic unit Pharmacy
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
PHAR5911 and PHAR5712 and PHAR5713 and PHAR5714 and PHAR5715 and PHAR5716 and PHAR5717 and PHAR5718 and PHAR5910
Corequisites
? 
PHAR5721 and PHAR5722 and PHAR5723
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jessica Pace, jessica.pace@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Jessica Pace, jessica.pace@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Tutorial quiz hurdle task Tutorial quizzes
Pharmaceutical and PBS calculations and medication safety; 80% pass mark
0% Multiple weeks 3 x 30 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO2
Participation hurdle task Class participation and prework
Prework, professionalism, and participation in workshops
0% Ongoing 85% attendance required
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small continuous assessment hurdle task Products dispensed/dispensing portfolio
Portfolio
0% Ongoing 1 hour/week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small continuous assessment hurdle task Prescription consultation and counselling
Competency assessment
0% Ongoing 2 hours/week
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO3
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Forensics exam
Combination of MCQs and SAQs
0% Week 13 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO5
Assignment hurdle task Patient course report
Patient case report related to medications covered in weekly workshops.
0% Week 13
Due date: 24 May 2024 at 23:59
750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Tutorial participation and pre-work: Students are expected to participate in all classes (labs and tutorials) in a professional manner. Pre-work for each tutorial generally includes completing relevant clinical information about the medications that will be dispensed in the laboratory.
  • Products dispensed/dispensing portfolio: During every dispensing laboratory, students are expected to dispense 4 to 6 prescriptions through the relevant dispensing software. Each product will be assessed for accuracy and uploaded to CANVAS within the lab. Students are expected to self-assess all their dispensed products and peer assess other students. Students must be marked as satisfactory/competent for all labels completed from week 3 onwards (approcimately 30 labels). 
  • Prescription consultation and counselling: Students will counsel a demonstrator on products dispensed each week. Students must be assessed as competent for one counselling session with a demonstrator each week from week 5 onwards (for a total of 6 satisfactory counselling sessions with a demonstrator). In the workshop, students are expected to self and peer assess their prescription consultation for all prescriptions provided in the lab. These consultation sessions should be recorded and uploaded into CANVAS within the class.
  • PBS calculations quiz: Quiz is completed during scheduled workshop time. Students will be required to accurately assess the ingredients and PBS status of a PBS products and price them accordingly.Pass mark required to satisfy the requirements of the course is 80%.
  • Pharmaceutical calculations quiz: Quiz is completed during scheduled workshop time. Students will be required to accurately calculated a range of pharmaceutical calculations. Pass mark required to satisfy requirements is 80%.
  • Medication Safety Quiz: Quiz competed during scheduled workshop time. Students will identify and apply a range of strategies for improving medication safety and preventing medication errors. Pass mark required to satisfy requirements is 80%.
  • An additional opportunity will be offered during semester to reattempt quizzes not passed.
  • Forensics Exam: The Forensics exam will be delivered on  campus and consist of questions relating to the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods legislation in NSW and/or pharmacy relevant law. Students must achieve a minimum mark of 65% to pass the unit. Students who do not achieve this minimum mark will be offered the opportunity to attempt an additional assessment in the formal exam period.
  • Patient case report: related to medications covered in weekly workshops. Case can be drawn from placement, paid work or created by the student. Students will submit a draft of their case for feedback in the middle of semester (week 7) and will be allocated another student's case to review. There will also be time to discuss student's cases in weekly workshops. 
  • Supplementary Yr assessments: Students may be offered re-assessment of compulsory-to-pass assessments as described in the relevant local provisions. Supplementary assessments will be offered to eligible students in the Main exam periods. For more information see Canvas year site.
  • Repeating students: Exemption from components (workshops, practicals etc) for students repeating PHAR5920 may be granted if students have demonstrated competence in their most recent attempt.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (Schedule 1).

This unit of study is Grade only. No marks will be awarded.

Result Code Result Name Description
SR Satisfied requirements When you don’t meet the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, for units which are marked as either Satisfied requirements or Failed requirements.
FR Failed requirements When you meet the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, for units which are marked as either Satisfied requirements or Failed requirements.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Case-based discussion about dispensing medicines. Workshop (20 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Dispense medicines and provide counselling Practical (30 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Forensics (NSW Poisons and Therapeutic Goods legislation) Individual study (20 hr) LO5 LO6
Ongoing Learn independently, including completing prework and postwork. Independent study (60 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

In accordance with the School Policy on Attendance, students must attend a minimum of 85% workshops to satisfy attendance requirements for this unit of study. 

For more information see Canvas site. 

If a tutorial/lab/workshop is missed due to illness or misadventure, students are to submit a special consideration application along with supporting documentation. An approved special consideration is needed to attend a class other than the student's timetabled class. 

Students arriving more than 10 minutes after the commencement of the laboratory / workshop / placement will be marked as unprofessional, which is a component of the class participation and professionalism assessment. Students swapping a class without prior approval from the UoS co-ordinator will be marked as unprofessional.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Current School of Pharmacy Dispensing Manual, AMH, APF, TGs and other pharmacy relevant databases. 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. apply numeracy skills to the solution of pharmacy problems, including pharmaceutical calculations
  • LO2. dispense and provide prescription and OTC medicines with counselling to safely and effectively administer medicines and/or use therapeutic devices
  • LO3. communicate effectively with patients, families, carers, and other health care professionals
  • LO4. elicit relevant health and medicines information, evaluate medication management, and establish an effective treatment plan
  • LO5. demonstrate understanding of laws that govern the supply of medicines and the practice of pharmacy
  • LO6. demonstrate the ability to learn independently and take responsibility for personal learning

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
3.12. consistently making accurate arithmetic calculations relating to health care
LO2
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
3.14. dispensing medicines safely and accurately in accordance with current legislation, scope of practice, PharmBA Guidelines and other relevant jurisdictional requirements to optimise patient outcomes
3.17. providing appropriate tailored counselling, information and education to enable safe and effective medication, disease state and lifestyle management
3.18. assessing ambulatory conditions and recommending appropriate management approaches, including pharmacological, non-pharmacological and referral options where appropriate
LO3
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
2.1. communicating appropriately and effectively with a socially and culturally diverse range of people in a manner which inspires confidence and trust by
2.1.a. demonstrating appropriately tailored verbal, written and non-verbal communication
2.1.b. engaging with all persons in a respectful, culturally appropriate, compassionate, responsive and empathetic manner
2.1.c. demonstrating awareness of and sensitivity to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and/or Māori history, communication styles and community protocols
2.1.d. demonstrating appropriate communication and interpersonal behaviours
2.2. documenting, communicating and recording relevant information, findings, decisions, recommendations and other information accurately and concisely, taking due account of privacy and confidentiality
LO4
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
3.6. obtaining relevant health, medical and medication information from patients, carers and other clients
3.7. assessing current health, medical and medication histories and profiles of patients
3.8. formulating health, medical and medication management plans in collaboration with patients, carers and other health team members
3.9. recommending appropriate monitoring of the outcomes of health, medical and medication management plans and recommending adjustments to them where appropriate in collaboration with patients, carers and other health team members
LO5
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
1.4. practising legally by
1.4.a. demonstrating contemporary knowledge and application of legal requirements relating to community and hospital pharmacy practice within their jurisdiction
LO6
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
1.6. demonstrating a proactive and reflective approach to developing their own professional competence and expertise
1.8. accepting personal responsibility and accountability for decisions and actions in simulated and/or work-integrated learning environments

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The unit has been restructured to focus on dispensing proprietary medicines and legal requirements for dispensing. Compounded medicines are covered in PHAR5910 Dispensing 1.

Work, health and safety

Students must comply with the Laboratory Safety Guidelines. 

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.